JOHN JASPER - ORDINARY MAN, EXTRAORDINARY GOD...the great slave preacher

February is traditionally known as black history month. While some in our society unfortunately use it to play what has commonly become known as "the race card", as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can 'redeem' it by honoring one of the Lord's servants.

By God's grace, all who are Christ's were granted saving faith to salvation being reconciled to God through the once for all atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. And for that reason, He has also given us "the ministry of reconciliation" (proclaiming His gospel; urging all men everywhere to repent and follow Christ - 2 Cor. 5:17ff). Therefore, the powerful reality for the Christian, is that racism should not exist in the body of Christ. Why? God has chosen before the foundation of this world and marked out for Himself a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. In the church beloved, "there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian nor Scythian, slave nor free; but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3:11). Amen? i would like to introduce you to the life and ministry of John Jasper (1812 – 1901).
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"If you is, what you was, then you ain’t."
-John Jasper, on genuine salvation must bear the fruit of a changed life.

"I have finished my work. I am waiting at the river, looking across for further orders." -John Jasper's last words.

John Jasper was born on July 4th in 1812. He was an African-American preacher, philosopher, and orator. He grew up in Fluvanna County, Virginia, the youngest of 24 children. He became a Christian on the July 4th 1839 in Capital Square of Richmond, Virginia. Tina, Jaspers mother - a godly woman, prayed that God would make her son a preacher as his father had been. For many years it seemed those prayers would not be answered. John had no interest in spiritual things. He had fallen in love with a girl from a neighboring plantation and been given permission to marry her. But on the day of their wedding, a slave uprising caused their masters to separate them, and John never saw her again. In bitterness he descended into evil living.

John was rebellious and constantly in trouble with his owners. It was while he was at work in a tobacco warehouse in 1839 that Jasper, stricken with "God's arrow of conviction," prayed and asked God to save him. Thirty days after his baptism in 1840, he was licensed to preach by the Old African Baptist Church, and he didn't stop for more than sixty years!

"My sins was piled on me like mountains; my feet was sinking down to the regions of despair, and I felt that of all sinners I was the worst. I thought that I would die right then, and with what I supposed was my last breath I flung up to heaven a cry for mercy..."

He was baptized in 1849 and on the same day, he preached a funeral, which immediately brought him fame. He taught himself to read and write, and although he delivered his sermons in the dialect of the southern slave, more educated ministers said that Jasper's vivid and dramatic sermons transcended "mere grammar."

One of the great Slave preachers, Jasper became a noted funeral preacher long before the Civil War. Noted for his fervid zeal, gifted imagery, and colorful oratory, as a speaker Jasper was much in demand. He preached in many sections of Virginia and adjoining states. During his August vacation, he conducted famous all-day camp meetings in the country. Sunday after Sunday he could be seen leading his flock to be baptized in the James River. He was known to have baptized as many as 300 people in four hours. He reached the height of his aspiration in 1867 when he organized the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. He gained national distinction in 1878 when he first preached his famed "DE SUN DO MOVE" sermon, which he later delivered by invitation more than 250 times, and once before the entire Virginia General Assembly. This sermon was his effort to prove through biblical references that the sun revolves around the earth. Black men were not allowed to preach in regular churches in those days unless supervised by white ministers. But Jasper's pointed and powerful messages soon drew a growing crowd, black and white, to hear him preach.

The Third Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia asked Jasper to preach twice a month, and other churches noticed a decline in their attendance on those Sundays. During the closing days of the Civil War, Jasper was asked to preach to the Confederate soldiers in the hospitals around Richmond. When the war ended, Jasper continued to preach.

Life never proceeded smoothly for Jasper. In addition to the problems inherent in being a black man in the post-war South, he endured jealous colleagues, failed marriages, and worldwide ridicule of his religious beliefs. But, he persisted. More than that, he triumphed. His congregation had swelled into the thousands, more than one third of whom were white.

In March of 1901, John Jasper preached to his congregation for the last time on the subject, "Ye Must Be Born Again." He urged his people to prepare for death, which he knew was coming soon for him. At his funeral, Dr. Hatcher said, "Every motion of his was made to exalt the Lord of his life." At his funeral, Reverend Hatcher delivered the eulogy, calling him "a prince of his tribe." Jasper is buried at Woodland Cemetery in Richmond, which also is the final resting place of tennis great Arthur Ashe.

In 1867 he founded the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond. The church began with nine members. Fifteen years later there were more than 1,000 members, and at his death they numbered nearly 2,000. Sixth Mount Zion, the church he founded in 1867, is thriving today.

Source: here; here; and here.

GUARD THE TRUST...every Christian's duty: defend the sufficiency & authority of God's Word

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe”
-1 Thessalonians 2:13.

“This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here heaven is open, and the gates of hell are disclosed. Christ is the grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you here in this life, will be opened at the judgment, and is established forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its contents.” –Author unknown

FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF GOD’S WORD ARE TO:
1. Crave the Word – 1 Peter 2:2
2. Believe the Word – John 2:22
3. Love the Word – Psalm 119:97, 127-128
4. Long for the Word – Psalm 119:20, 40, 131
5. Delight in the Word – Psalm 1:2, 119:35, 143
6. Rejoice in the Word – Jeremiah 15:16, Psalm 119:111,162
7. Treasure the Word – Job 23:12, Psalm 19:10-11
8. Esteem the Word – Psalm 138:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:13
9. Reverence the Word – Psalm 119:161
10. Honor the Word – 2 Thessalonians 3:1
11. Trust in the Word – Psalm 119:42
12. Sing the Word – Psalm 119:54,172, Colossians 3:16
13. Meditate on the Word – Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8
14. Memorize the Word – Psalm 119:11, 16, 61, 128-129, 176
15. Abide in the Word – John 15:7, 1 John 2:23-25
16. Obey the Word – Deuteronomy 17:19-20, Joshua 22:5, Psalm 119:67,

Luke 8:21, John 14:15, 17:6, 1 John 2:3-5, 5:2-3
17. Be Conformed by the Word – Psalm 119: 133, 1 Timothy 6:3, Titus 1:1
18. Not to be ashamed of the Word – Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:8
19. Contend for the Word – Jude 3, Titus 1:9
20. Defend the Word – Philippians 1:7
21. Suffer for the Word – 2 Timothy 1:8
22. Do not neglect the Word – 1 Corinthians 9:16
23. Be empowered with the Word – 1 Thessalonians 1:5
24. Hope in the Word – Romans 15:4
25. Live the Word – Ezra 7:10, Philippians 1:27, James 1:22-25
26. Take heed to the Word – 1 Timothy 4:16
27. Rightly divide the Word – 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8
28. Retain the standard of the Word – 2 Timothy 2:13-14
29. Read the Word – 1 Timothy 4:13; Colossians 4:16
30. Share the Word – 1 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:1
31. Teach the Word – 2 Timothy 4:1-5
32. Exhort with the Word – 1 Timothy 4:13
33. Preach the Word – 2 Timothy 4:2
34. Tremble at His Word – Isaiah 66:2

Compare that with the ways of the wicked:

They willingly:
1. corrupt the Word, 2 Cor. 2:17;
2. reject the Word, Jer. 8:9; disobey the Word, Psalm 119:158;
3. wrest the Word, 2 Pt. 3:16;
4. speak not its truth, Isaiah 8:20;
5. hate its instruction, Psalm 50:16-17;
6. cannot understand it, I Corinthians 2:14;
7. they lay aside the Word, Mark 7:6-9;
8. heed doctrines of demons, 1Timothy 4:1-2;
9. promote destructive heresies, 2 Peter 2:1;
10. are factious, Titus 3:9-10;
11. and proclaim another gospel, Galatians 1:6-9.

Postmodern Procrustean Beds
In Greek mythology there is portrayed a villainous son named Procrustes, of his father Poseidon, who would arbitrarily prescribe ruthless, torturous phenomenon for patrons of his hostel. He would force his travelers to fit into his "procrustean bed" by stretching his victims or severing off their limbs.

In much the same way, there have been men throughout the ages, many who also today, are passing abhorrent doctrine and skewed theology off as authentic Christianity, that have abandoned the truth of God's Word (1 Tim. 4:1), having laid it upon the "procrustean bed" of deceived, depraved minds (1 Tim. 6:5; Titus 1:15) stretching its truth or lopping it off to suit itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3), wayward hearts (2 Pt. 2:2), and perverted religious systems, creeds, rituals and ceremonies (Col. 2:6-18). This is spiritual treason at its core! The Apostle Paul warns of such treason and pronounces sentence on those who promulgate this distortion of doctrine and desertion of Christ for a different gospel when he says:

"I AM AMAZED THAT YOU ARE SO QUICKLY DESERTING HIM
WHO CALLED YOU BY THE GRACE OF CHRIST,
FOR A DIFFERENT GOSPEL; WHICH IS REALLY NOT ANOTHER;
ONLY THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE DISTURBING YOU,
AND WANT TO DISTORT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
BUT EVEN THOUGH WE, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN,
SHOULD PREACH TO YOU A GOSPEL CONTRARY TO THAT
WHICH WE HAVE PREACHED TO YOU, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.
AS WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, SO I SAY AGAIN NOW,
IF ANY MAN IS PREACHING TO YOU A GOSPEL CONTRARY
TO THAT WHICH YOU RECEIVED, LET HIM BE ACCURSED"
-GALATIANS 1:6-9

Spiritual Treason
Doctrines of demons abounded in the Apostles day (1 Tim. 4:1). Endless genealogies (Ibid 1:4), myths (Ibid), strange doctrines (Ibid 1:3), worldly fables (Ibid 4:7f), and hucksters peddling the Word of God for profit (2 Cor. 2:17) - but Paul was called for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:16) and he would not shrink from the duty of "declaring the whole council of God" (Acts 20:27). Though some were out to make retail of the truth and sell it for whatever worldly prominence, power or paragon they might obtain, truth was a non-negotiable to this great saint as it was to Polycarp, Ireneaus, Ignatius, Athanasius, Augustine, Basil, Ambrose, Tertullian, Chrysostom, Jerome and other great church Fathers. These men sacrificed their lives for the Eternal Logos and the written logos. They took there stand firmly on the Word of God without compromise and without regret. Athanasius knew this cost when he said, "The calumniating Greek ridicule us and set up a broad laugh at us, because we regard nothing so much as the cross of Christ."(1) They guarded the trust! (1 Tim. 6:20).

The church should not be the place where sin is entertained, scandals abound and disobedience is tolerated, but the church should be what Paul had declared that it is, "the pillar and support of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15) This is the purpose of all theology, of all ecclesiology, of all music and of all history to preserve, promote, protect and preach the Word! But since Lucifer is a subtle and twisted foe, he will try to pervert all sound doctrine into damning apostasy. "[He, the devil]...does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him" (John 8:44).

All false systems throughout church history will have an appearance of orthodoxy but are in reality "white-washed" tombs of abhorrent prevarication. Whether it be the additional revelations of the Montanists; the dualistic and demiurgic mediatorial intellectualism of the Gnostics; the subordinationist Trinitarian theology of the Arians; the kenotic iconoclasm of the Ebionites and Socinians; or the debauched sacradotalism of the greatest of all "angel of lights" (2 Cor. 11:14) - the Roman Catholic Church; the genuine gospel was always blended with the leaven of error to produce heresy. As Louis Berkhof quotes Professor Walther when commenting on the syncretistic movement in Gnosticism, he so profoundly says, "Gnosticism...is a stealing of some Christian rags to cover heathen nakedness! This corresponds with Seeburg when he speaks of it as an 'ethnicizing of Christianity.'" (emphasis added)

A Workman Unashamed
Paul declared, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[a] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." This is the duty of every faithful pastor--to rightly divide God's Word--to cut it straight. If he does so, he will be a workman unashamed and approved unto God. This should produce godly fear in every under-shepherd of the flock of God. Wrongly dividing the Word will bring judgment upon you (James 3:1) and cause the body of Christ to suffer. Think of Paul's exhortation to young Timothy; warning the church of two men who failed in this task and their skewed sermons were nothing but cancerous to the body of Christ. ”But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. (2 Tim. 2:16-18a) When one is injured and gangrene sets in, the only hope to stop the gangrene from spreading further and protect the health of the rest of the body is to amputate the diseased limb. In the same way, when gangrenous teaching finds its way within the church that can damage and disease the entire body, the only remedy for this disorder of doctrine is the amputation of aberrancy so that its poison will not effect the rest of the body of Christ!

As Tertullian so insightfully says, "truth is just as much opposed by an adulteration of its meaning as it is by a corruption of its text." This, however, presupposes an authoritative "rule and standard" that could be "adulterated...and corrupted." Schaff writes penetratingly when saying, "The heretical canon of the Gnostic Marcion, of the middle of the second century, consisting of a mutilated Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul's epistles, certainly implies the existence of an orthodox canon at that time, as heresy always presupposes truth, of which it is a caricature." (emphasis added) Heresy always has an element of truth to it and that is why the Councils and Synods, the development of the Creeds had to not only unmask the imposter of the genuine faith but also contend for and reaffirm the truth of authentic faith! (Jude 3)

Contend for THE Faith
These were not casual intellectual ping pong matches these men engaged in as though they were the next target on "Firing Line" with William Buckley, Jr. The preservation of truth, the development of the canon, the stance for sound doctrine (uncorrupted and unadulterated) cost many of the early Fathers (from the time of the ascension of Christ to the time of Constantine- and in some cases beyond) their reputations, separation from their families, exile and banishment, torture, persecution and ultimately their lives. The pages of church history cannot be studied dispassionately when the very pages of that history are written with the blood of the saints that held fast the faithful word and did not recant! The Bible is the most sacred thing we will ever hold in our hands in this life. The early church leaders did not shrink from declaring the whole council of God (Acts 20:27) and rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). May we not dishonor them nor our Lord by taking lightly the task of preserving orthodox historical biblical Christianity.

To develop a biblical perspective of history a few considerations are necessary: a proper view of God; a proper view of man; and a proper view of truth. History can be and is didactic, political, sociological, biographical, economic, geographic and synthetic. But most importantly history is first and foremost theological. Newman says, "the Christian scholar rejoices in all that is Christlike and heroic, laments the corruptions and perversions of the past, and is most deeply concerned for the honor and purity of Christianity of the present and future.”

Our faith is not built upon the opinions of the early church fathers, their traditions or councils, letters or debates apart from the attestation of Scripture. Though we today owe “the fathers—the divines” a tremendous debt for the faithful warrant and witness preserved on biblical truth; but we must be careful to fathom that our faith is built solely upon the authority, sufficiency and exhaustiveness of Holy Scripture. Truth must always take precedence over tradition - and tradition must always be examined in light of truth! If not, then we are in danger of turning the wonderful recognized traditions of these divines into what I call, "Protestant Popery!" God forbid!

No Creed but Christ
Samuel Davies, that tremendous 18th century divine said, "I may indeed believe the same things which Luther or Calvin believed: but I do not believe them on the authority of Luther or Calvin, but upon the sole authority of Jesus Christ, and therefore I should not call myself by their name, as one of their disciples, but by the name of Christ, whom alone I acknowledge as the Author of my religion, and my only Master and Lord." "Follow me as I follow Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1) is the clarion call of church history. For it is as someone has stated, history is nothing less than "His-story!"

As the early church fathers followed Christ, we follow them. As they affirmed the Scriptures we accept them and their teaching. As the councils affirmed and upheld biblical truth, without addition and without deletion, we receive them. As the bishops and episcopates held fast the faith without compromise, we embrace them. But remove the standard and rule for all conduct of God’s Word and depart from the heavenly plumbline (Amos 7:8), which governs our souls' security and surety for eternity and insures our daily duty and ecclesiastical obligations to elders and laity, from the essence of their dogma, then we must jettison their words and place under suspect their writings, contributions and authority.

The Sufficiency of Scripture
The uniqueness of Scripture is that it is axiomatic, self-evident truth. Psalm 19:7-9 gives us the most comprehensive statement on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture found anywhere in the Bible.

• The law of the Lord is perfect, RESTORING THE SOUL.
• The testimony of the Lord is sure, MAKING WISE THE SIMPLE.
• The precepts of the Lord are right, REJOICING THE HEART;
• The commandment of the Lord is pure, ENLIGHTENING THE EYES.
• The fear of the Lord is clean, ENDURING FOREVER;
• The judgments of the Lord are true; they are RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER.

Here we read that the word of our Lord is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean and true. Nothing in its pages is lacking; nothing is defiled, adulterated, corrupted, unclean or unholy. Every word is without error! Why? The Psalmist says it is, "of the Lord." And look what it accomplishes: it restores the soul (salvation); it makes the simple wise (erudition); it rejoices the heart (exultation); it enlightens the eyes (illumination); it endures forever (glorification); and it produces comprehensive righteousness to daily live by (sanctification). No wonder this word was sweeter than any earthly delight and more valuable to David than any earthly treasure (Psalm 19:10-11). This was the faithful word that Jeremiah proclaimed (Jer. 11:1-5); that David sang (Psalm 119:54); that Saul apostatized (1 Sam. 15:20-23); that Daniel honored (Daniel 2:20-23); that Ezekiel preached (Ez. 37:1-10); that Jonah hid from (Jonah 1:1-3); that Moses delievered (Ex. 20:1-18); that Job trusted in (Job 1:20-22); that God has exalted even above His name (Psalm 138:2).

This is the language of tradition (the paradosis) that was handed down through the prophets to the Apostles. "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and many ways." (Heb. 1:1) These men "were entrusted with the oracles of God" (Rom. 3:2b); "to whom belongs...the covenants and the giving of the Law...and the promises" (Ibid 9:4); which Stephen heralded, "...who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you" (Acts 7:38); this was done by the "mouth of His holy prophets from of old" (Luke 1:70).

It is this Word that Peter affirmed "for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God." (2 Peter 1:21) The Apostles of Jesus Christ were used by the Lord as His agency by which the New Testament was delivered to the church as the prophets had been used in times of old. As the formation of the New Testament canon was unfolding, the letters of the Apostles were sent to the churches, not as the opinions of traveling missionaries, but as the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13). This was their authority - infallible truth given to the churches. We see this occurring directly following Pentecost for we read in Acts 2:40, "they were continually devoting themselves to the Apostles' teaching..." Here we are given profound perspicacity into the Apostolic Fathers teaching as doctrine to be given to the entire church. And it is something that they gave constant devotion to.

The Apostles and The Word of God
As the end of the Apostolic age came to a close, we are given a few passages which already recognize the Apostles' teaching as canonical. 1 Timothy 5:18, "For the Scriptures say, you shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing, and the laborer is worthy of his wages" (emphasis added). Here we have a reference to the Scriptures as being a dual quote from Deut. 25:4 and Luke 10:7. This is a crucial passage linking the Pentateuch with the Gospel of Luke. (This is the gospel that Marcion was have said to mutilate. Marcion judged the Book, forgetting that the Book eternally judges him!) We see Paul quoting from the Gospels, to the Corinthian church (Luke 22:20) as Scripture, when he says, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Even Peter acknowledges the writings of Paul as holy canon when he says, "according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:15b-16) This is significant, for Peter is equating Paul's letters with Scripture.

And this is “once for all delivered to the saints faith” that we are to “contend for.” May the church in America today believe once again in the authority, sufficiency, veracity and exclusivity of Scripture again.

-this has been an encore presentation-

WORKMAN UNASHAMED - APPROVED UNTO GOD...words of wisdom by men who cut it straight

"For every look at self take ten looks at Christ."
-ROBERT MURRAY MCCHEYNE


""Sin hath the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and death for its wages."
-THOMAS WATSON


"Seek not to grow in knowledge chiefly for the sake of applause, and to enable you to dispute with others; but seek it for the benefit of your souls, and in order to practice....Practice according to what knowledge you have. This will be the way to know more... 'I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts'" (Psalm 119:100).
-JONATHAN EDWARDS


"In the Scriptures there is a portrait of God, but in Christ there is God himself. A coin bears the image of Caesar, but Caesar's son is his own lively resemblance. Christ is the living Bible."
-THOMAS MANTON


"Tell me, you vain professor, when did you shed a tear for the deadness, hardness, unbelief, or earthliness of your heart? Do you think that such an easy religion can save you? If so, we may invert Christ's words and say, 'Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to life, and may there be that go in there.'"
-JOHN FLAVEL

2008 SHEPHERDS CONFERENCE BEGINS TODAY...couldn't attend? listen live online and it's free!

If you couldn't attend the 2008 Shepherds Conference this year, there is still a way to enjoy the great hymn singing in worship and powerful expositions from God's Word by Pastor John and the guest speakers he has invited this year: LIVE STREAM IT!. And here is the best part - it's FREE!.

Simply click on the icon above and follow instructions. The conference schedule will be listed as well. I am looking forward to being ministered to greatly by these times in God's Word.

Grace and Truth,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5

WOE TO THE SHEPHERD...a humble cry for biblical pastoral leadership within the church

GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED IN US WHEN WE ARE MOST SATISFIED IN THE CULTURE...the legacy of the new evangelicals

THE PASTOR GOD USES...he doesn't contextualize, culturalize or compromise the truth

From the Pen of Luke
Acts 6:4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 20:19 "serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; Acts 20:20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, Acts 20:21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:22 “And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, Acts 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. Acts 20:24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more. Acts 20:26 “Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. Acts 20:27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Acts 20:28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; Acts 20:30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Acts 20:31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. Acts 20:32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:33 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. Acts 20:34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. Acts 20:35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

From the Pen of Paul:
1 Cor. 4:1 ¶ Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor. 4:2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

1 Tim. 4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 1 Tim. 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 1 Tim. 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 1 Tim. 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 1 Tim. 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

2 Tim. 2:24 "And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 2 Tim. 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim. 2:26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

2 Tim. 4:1 "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Tim. 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 2 Tim. 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. 2 Tim. 4:5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

Titus 1:9 "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Titus 2:15 ¶ "These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

From the Pen of Peter
1 Pet. 5:1 "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 1 Pet. 5:2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 1 Pet. 5:3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 1 Pet. 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Pet. 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

HOW WIDE IS THE NARROW ROAD AT LAKEWOOD CHURCH?...Pastor Osteen believes Mormons are Christians too

"[The Pastor] must hold firm to the trustworthy

word as taught, so that he may be able to

give instruction in sound doctrine

and also to refute those who contradict it."

-Titus 1:9

Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX was on Chris Wallace's excellent news broadcast this morning: Fox New Sunday with Chris Wallace.

Once again, Joel speaks sentimentally about spiritual things, but shies away from speaking clearly and biblically about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And more importantly, speaking against the unorthodox beliefs of those who represent a false gospel dressed in Christian rags - such as Mormonism.
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This interview represents the tragedy of unbiblical compassion... resulting in a distortion of the truth, an acceptance of a different gospel, and an ecumenical accommodationalism that defects from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

This interview is disappointing on three levels:

1. Joel is a pastor and failed to speak biblically as a pastor on an essential of the faith: what is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and do Mormon beliefs pass the test of orthodoxy according to the standard of Scripture?

2. Because of Joel's large TV audience (especially among nonbelievers) many folks will surely come away from today's broadcast thinking that Mormons are truly Christian when in fact they are not at all.

3. Mitt Romney, though a fine politician, is now further confirmed in his unbelief and his heart a bit more calloused against the biblical gospel because of Joel's words.

This is serious beloved. What Joel affirmed is nothing short of a compromised gospel worthy only of eternal damnation. Mormons believe a different gospel than the biblical gospel and cannot be considered as part of orthodox Christianity under any circumstance (here is an excellent apologetic site that has numerous detailed articles about Mormon beliefs and doctrines.)

In the wake of this unfortunate interview, my prayers today are twofold:

1. that Joel Osteen would daily study to show himself approved unto God as a workman unashamed by handling accurately the word of truth. Eight years is a long enough time beloved for any man in pastoral ministry (seminary educated or not) to be thoroughly acquainted with the essentials of the faith - especially the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to clearly represent its truth.

And 2. that the Lord would bring truly saved men and women into the Romney household to proclaim to them the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; warning them to flee the wrath to come; compelling them to be reconciled to God; commanding them to repent of their sins; and calling them to deny themselves, take up their cross, and by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone... follow Him as their Lord and Savior.

Below you will find a section of the transcript of the broadcast. The video can be watched here or read the entire transcript can be read here.

WALLACE: And what about Mitt Romney? And I've got to ask you the question, because it is a question whether it should be or not in this campaign, is a Mormon a true Christian? OSTEEN: Well, in my mind they are. Mitt Romney has said that he believes in Christ as his savior, and that's what I believe, so, you know, I'm not the one to judge the little details of it. So I believe they are. (emphasis mine). And so, you know, Mitt Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me, and I don't think he would — anything would stop me from voting for him if that's what I felt like. WALLACE: So, for instance, when people start talking about Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, and the golden tablets in upstate New York, and God assumes the shape of a man, do you not get hung up in those theological issues? OSTEEN: I probably don't get hung up in them because I haven't really studied them or thought about them. And you know, I just try to let God be the judge of that. I mean, I don't know. I certainly can't say that I agree with everything that I've heard about it, but from what I've heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his savior, to me that's a common bond.

EMERGENTCY: The Dire Need for Biblical Ministry...an urgent plea for emergent/emerging leaders

Updated

"but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." -1 Corinthians 1:23-25

About John Knox:
The text was Isaiah 26:13-21 and it was preached on August 19, 1565, in St Giles. The previous month Lord Darnley had married Queen Mary and was declared King. Darnley has been described as a man who could be either Catholic or Protestant as it suited him, sometimes he went 'to mass with the Queen and sometimes attended the reformed sermons'. On this particular Sunday he sat listening on a throne in St Giles and, while he was not directly mentioned in the sermon, it so infuriated him that Knox was instantly summoned before the Privy Council and forbidden to preach while the King and Queen were in town. Part of Knox's response was to write down the sermon as fully as he could remember it. It is the only Knox sermon that has survived, and in its conclusion he has these memorable sentences:

'Let us now humble ourselves in the presence of our God, and, from the bottom of our hearts, let us desire him to assist us with the power of his Holy Spirit . . . that albeit we see his Church so diminished, that it shall appear to be brought, as it were, to utter extermination, that yet we may be assured that in our God there is power and will to increase the number of his chosen, even while they be enlarged to the uttermost coasts of the earth.' -John Knox

When addressing this text of 2 Corinthians 4, I thought of no one else to illustrate authentic biblical ministry than John Knox.

Oh for men like him once again. Men that aren't for sale; men that reverence the Lord and not treat Him as a cartoon figure on a t-shirt; men that will stand against the world and for Christ; men who consider their lives small and the glory of God great; men who are not concerned with trivial cultural trends, but keep the eternal work in clear view; men who are more consumed with proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ than promoting themselves; men who weep for the lost, champion sound doctrine, plead with the church to be holy, confront political leadership, and herald God's Word uncompromised. Knox was not stifled by fear, motivated by fame, nor swayed by flattery. He was God's man and belonged to no other.

This dedication to biblical ministry the Apostle Paul gives us in what I consider to be the wheelhouse text of the foundations for ministry in 2 Corinthians chapter four. I am going to briefly comment on it for you below - but only briefly; for I mostly want you to just read and hear the text of Scripture itself and not be needlessly distracted by my comments.

This text sums up my plea and prayer for myself for I fall woefully short in all that I do for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is also my plea and prayer for national leaders within The Emergent Church (t.e. McLaren, Pagitt, Bell, etc.) who have given themselves over to unorthodox beliefs (Inclusivism [A Generous Orthodoxy], Pelagianism [denies imputation of original sin and that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone], Syncretism [the blending of opposing belief systems - the virgin birth is questioned and not held as essential]) which we could include under the umbrella of what the Apostle Paul called, "deceitful doctrines of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1). I say these things with tears, a heavy heart, out of deep concern for their souls, and realizing the sinfulness and wretchedness of my own depraved heart; if these men are truly my brothers in the Lord Jesus may they repent from these aberrant doctrines and return to Christ, His truth, and His gospel.  And if they are not, may God grant them repentance and the faith to believe Jesus Christ as Lord unto salvation by embracing the true gospel of sola fide and forsaking the dead idols of their own imaginations.  When anyone denies substitutionary atonement; the inerrancy, infallibility, and authority of Scripture; the existence of hell and eternal judgment of all who deny Christ and His gospel; the Virgin Birth; the doctrine of original sin; etc. then there is justified reason for us all to be concerned. 

I want to be clear here: I am not making an eternal judgment against these men; I am simply examining what these men teach and comparing their assertions through the grid of God's Word - and when analyzed in the light of Scripture, the comparison is frightening.  I am not anyone's Holy Spirit beloved; I am just another brother in Christ trying to be a faithful Berean to examine all things in light of the Word of God. As Paul admonishes us to do: "test all things and cling to that which is good." 

Again, please pray for these men that the Lord would bring others into their lives that would care to speak the truth in love to them and the Lord would open their eyes as to the error they are even unwittingly believing and teaching to others. Theology matters; doctrine matters; truth matters; Scripture matters. 

Let's look at this important seciton of God's holy Word.

The Foundations of Genuine Biblical Ministry
2 Corinthians 4 (NASB)

Comfort in Ministry
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

Ministry belongs to the Lord; it is His. It is solely from Him and by His mercy He enlists us the privilege of serving Him. It is not the product of ourselves in any manner whatsoever (cp, Gal. 1:10-13; 2 Tim. 1:10-12). It is because of this truth that we do not faint or lose heart - literally, we do not abandon ourselves to cowardly surrender under the vicious attacks of others. Though sometimes we can become discouraged, "our labor and toil is not in vain" (cf, 1 Cor. 15:58). We press on amidst grave circumstances, persecutions, insults, onslaughts, privation and ridicule (cp, 2 Cor. 11) for the proclamation of the gospel; God's New Covenant for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

May we be like those who can say,

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." -Acts 20:24

Conduct in Ministry
2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

This is at the heart of biblical ministry; a conduct befitting Christlikeness that does not capitulate to the fads, trends, and transient means of the spirit of this age. Paul is saying here that we do not resort to shameful things; or gimmicks, tricks (cultural contextualizations of the message, audience marketeering, demographic research, seeker friendly pragmatism) etc. or to wresting the Word of God.

Paul mentions three sweeping categories of conduct unbecoming to those in biblical ministry:

1. disgraceful, underhanded ways (disgraceful conduct; clandestine and secret arts; all dishonest artifices and plans,);

2. cunning (craftily; or behaving in a crafty manner. The word here used denotes shrewdness, cunning, and craft. This was common; and this was probably practiced by the false teachers in Corinth);

and 3. tamper with God's word (handling it deceitfully, corrupting its truth, adulterating its meaning, not peddling it for financial gain (2 Cor. 2:17); not falsifying or misrepresenting its truths).

What should be our response to such things? "We have renounced those things"; literally "bid farewell to" those things. That word means to disown; to spurn, or scorn with aversion. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; and the sense here is that the Apostles had such a high view of the truth of Scripture and the glory of Christian ministry, that it led them to discard everything that was disguised and crafty; everything deceitful in the methods of ministry.

What's the antedote? "...by the open statement of truth commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God." Truth does not hide or cloak itself; it is "open" - unashamed. And the result is the straightforward commendation to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. Notice, that He is the object of all our endeavors; and therefore, we can speak it plainly to all without reservation, without hidden agenda, without the shroud of trickery, deceit, cunning or adulterating the Word of God.

As one of the great divines, Pastor John Gill, so rightly says:

"that is, they with all plainness and evidence clearly preached the truth as it is in Jesus, presenting it to, and pressing it upon the consciences of men; where they left it, and to which they could appeal; and all this they did, in the sight and presence of the omniscient God, to whom they knew they must give an account of themselves and their ministry."

Conflict in Ministry
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Why is this vitally important?

Because we fight not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:10-18); it is spiritual battle we face is it not? And we cannot fight with carnal weaponry (2 Cor. 10:1-4) as the emergents and pragmatic emergings want to. We must resort to the spiritual weapons of prayer, the Word of God, the means of grace, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anythng else is child's play and may have the appearance of being equipped for battle, but their culturally-relevant-contextualized armor is not tempered with the steel of righteousness and truth; therefore, it is not profitable to wear for effective service in God's war. The battle is the Lord's beloved and we must engage His way, according to His Word, and for His glory or all our efforts are efforts in futility. "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Tim. 2:4).

This is the Achilles heal of the emergent/emerging movement. It is so focused and obsessed with the pragmatics on being identified with culture and target marketing a constituency in their neighborhoods, that they actually think that their methods have something to do with people becoming saved and the church growing through evangelism.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Why? Because it is a spiritual battle we are about.

Paul reminds us that Satan has blinded the minds of those who reject Christ and His truth. And there is one thing that is greater than the deceitful blinding darkness of the enemy, and that is the glorious light of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan may be mighty, but Jesus Christ is Almighty and the gates of Hades cannot ever prevail against His church! Amen? Amen!

Confidence in Ministry
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

So what is our confidence in ministry? Is it the size of our annual offerings or size of our congregations? Is it technology? Is it the amount of downloads and listeners we enjoy on radio, podcasts, TV? Is it the number of readers on our blogs or websites? Not a chance. Our confidence is one thing: "we preach not ourselves... and we preach Christ Jesus as Lord." Did you hear that beloved? Those words should be branded upon the doors of every seminary, every church sanctuary and every pastors study. We do not preach ourselves; we don't preach anything to do with ourselves. We must forsake ourselves, our agendas, our methods, our techniques, our practices, etc. And we faithfully proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

We call Him Jesus because He is the Savior; we call Him Christ, because He is the sufficient Messiah; and we call Him Lord, because He is the One True Sovereign over all. We preach Jesus Christ as Lord!

Could it be anymore clear? "I sought to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). That was Paul's all consuming passion. Preach Christ Jesus as Lord! Only if men of God each week did so in our churches with humility, with power, with the unction of the Holy Spirit, and in the truth of His Word. How refreshing it would be. Oh to see emergents not only ask some right questions about doing church in our day, but more importantly to give the right answers of God's Word -- to preach Jesus Christ the Lord and not themselves!

And to do so as servants of the Lord--literally as slaves. Proclaim the Savior - Jesus Christ the Lord; and serve His people as slaves. We have no rights, no reputations to boast of, no merits in ourselves worthy of emulating or following except that which Christ has done through us by His grace.

"1 Cor. 3:5 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men? 1Cor. 3:5

¶ What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 1Cor. 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 1Cor. 3:7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 1Cor. 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 1Cor. 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1Cor. 4:1 ¶ Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1Cor. 4:2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

That's the right motive of ministry beloved. In Christ alone is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God! He is God incarnate--the Word become flesh. We exalt Him above all things--especially ourselves. We are nothing - He is everything! Are we content to preach Christ and exalt Him even if it means our own demise?Will we preach Jesus Christ as Lord even if no one listens? Will we preach Jesus Christ as Lord if no one responds? May we never shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God.

Commonness of Ministry
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Again, the Lord has insured that all pride in ministry and the fruit of salvation of another is never the cause for boasting in and of ourselves. The great work of evangelism belongs to the Lord. It is He who adds to the church daily; it is God who has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. The gospel itself is the power of God unto salvation.

Is there room for any boasting of our own accomplishments in biblical ministry? None whatsoever -- no room at all. Our methods do not add one thing to God's sovereign work of redemption (cp, Titus 3:4-7). Even some who want to announce their pursuit of humility reveals nothing more than a prideful heart boasting to attract the attention and praise of men.

"Riches I heed not nor man's empty praise..." the godly hymn writer pens.

We hold this treasure beloved (the treasure of the gospel) in jars of clay (not a bad name for a Christian band). The clay pots were used sometimes to hold valuables within a house. But mostly they were used for mundane purposes as recepticles for discarded menstral rags or human excrement. Paul says this is us; this is us. We are called by God "clay pots" - so the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. It is all about Him and His glory and not about us.

Any fruit from genuine ministry is not the result of human initiative or means. Ministry is not about expanding ones brand; selling CDs, books and study Bibles; it is not about increasing our market share of our radio programs and TV stations or building up shelf space at Target or Wal-Mart. It is about promoting the greatness of our God through Jesus Christ the Lord in proclaiming His gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit according to His Word. And knowing we do so as people of clay. Anything attribution of spiritual growth to man is nothing but vanity and a selfish pride. Anything less is all about us and not about Him.

We are jars of clay; common receptacles. By God's grace He uses us for His eternal purposes and for His glory. What a joy and privilege...

Cost of Ministry
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 death is at work in us, but life in you.

Are you prepared for this? Have you come to grips with giving up all things for the sake of Christ and His kingdom? To suffer the loss of all things so that we may gain Christ and know Him? (cp, Phil. 3:1-8) Are you resolved that you have no claim upon your own life and that you will not love it even unto death? Paul was perplexed, homeless, persecuted, afflicted, without worldly means, considered to be "the scum of the earth and the dregs of all things." He had nothing of worldly goods; he was destitute and was suffering greatly for the gospel. He was by his own admission "an ambassador in chains." But he was not without hope. He was not crushed, nor left in despair, never forsaken, and not destroyed.

Could you embrace those same chains so that "the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies?" Can you "count it all joy" the trials of ministry and the turbulence of serving His church with thankfulness in your heart knowing God is sovereign and in control of it all? Will you count it all joy to bear the insults of others for following and serving Jesus? Are you willing to risk it all, even die if necessary, for the sake of the glory of Christ Jesus the Lord? Will we be willing to be whittled down to size, as Gideon was. so that we will not say that our own hand has delivered us and that He receives all the glory?

Culmination of Ministry
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Again, what is the chief end of man? What is his sole delight? The glory of God.

We believe so we speak; we are utterly convinced of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and so we are also convinced of God's power to raise us up with Him and bring us to completion in our glorification with Him (Jude 24-25). And in seeing more and more increase in thanksgiving to Him by His grace, culminating in His further glory. This is the capstone of all ministry; this is at the root of all biblical worship; this is service to God unfettered, unfeigned and worthy of Him--for it results in His glory.

Every week any local church or itinerate ministry should be as a matter of priority asking this one key question: what can we do to bring further glory to God this week? All staff meetings should begin and end with that question and goal on their lips. Every worship service should begin and end with the awesome expression of glory to God.

Commitment of Ministry
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

This is our conviction and therefore our commitment this day; we "do not lose heart." Paul ends this chapter where he began--encouragement in the Lord to keep on faithfully for Him regardless of the circumstances we may face each day.

We can be wasting away, but in what is eternal we are renewed. Even Paul's severe persecution, he considered a momentary "light affliction" compared to "the eternal weight of glory..." This is a key conviction to endurance in ministry: keeping the eternal in view; keeping the preeminence of Christ in view; making the most of Him in all we do for Him. We may suffer greatly for His gospel in this life, but we will never have to face the wrath to come. And so we may say with Paul, this is a light momentary weight we bare when compared to the eternal glory with Jesus Christ that awaits those who are in Him. The things which are seen are temporal; but the things not seen are eternal.

We may pray in dark moments through tears of doubt and sorrow: "Give us spiritual eyes Lord that we may see clearly, by faith, all that You have designed for those to whom You love and that love You faithfully. May we not be possessed by what is temporary; but be utterly convinced of what is eternal; and therefore, keep on until the end with an undivided heart, a single mind, an unwavering soul, with a firm resolve that this world is not my home--I'm just a passing through. It is for Your name's sake... Amen."

Conclusion
May I encourage you again to pray for these men I mentioned earlier in this article. Pray for their repentance and for their return to biblical ministry. And pray for me too. Pray that we all would guard our own hearts; that we would all watch our lives and doctrine closely (1 Tim. 4:12-16). Pray the Lord would keep us from a saracstic mocking spirit of others who believe differently, who might be aberrant stiff-necked in their doctrine, or who don't line up with every jot and tittle of the faith as we would see it. May we contend for the once for all delivered to the saints faith; but may we do so with reverence and respect as those who have sanctified Jesus Christ as Lord in our hearts (1 Peter 3:15-16).

May we treat error with the sober-minded seriousness it deserves; may we be bold against the skewed theology of false teachers; may we call them to repentance; and quickly repent ourselves. And may we embrace the whole truth of God's Word and encourage others to do the same with the soberness it deserves as well. May we stay teachable, broken, ready to serve, and steadfast in the gospel.

Is there joy in ministry? YES! There is great rejoicing in seeing the Lord work and to be used by Him for His glory. But it is not a celebration in what we have done, but only in what He has accomplished through us and in spite of us.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." -2 Corinthians 13:14